Sheet-feeding mechanism.



S. L. TUCKER.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION min Aus.9.1912.

fa W

INVENTOR Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEETI mwmw.,

ATTRWEYS S. L. TUCKER.

SHEET FEEDING MECHNISM.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.9.191z.

S. L. TUCKER.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9- 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Oct. 24,

S. L. TUQKER. SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLlcATloN FILED Aue.9.1912.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

a sHEET's-SHEET 4.

WITNESSES S. L. TUCKER.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM. APPLICATION HLED Auc.9. 1912.

Patented Oct. 24, 1916o 6 SHEET'S'-SHEET 5.

ATTonNEYs s. L. Tum.

SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM.

APPLlcATloN HLED AuG.9. 1912.

Patented Oct. 245 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

ATTORNEYS ltflllll I SAMUJEL L. TUCKJEB, OF WOODBUBY, NEW J ERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 ARTHUR B. HUEY, OF IPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SI'IJEET-FEEDING MECHANISIVI.

Laoassa.

Specification of Letters 1'atent.

Patented ct. 24l, 1916.

.Application filed August 9, 1912. Serial No. 714,203.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL lL. TUCKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Woodbury, Gloucester county, State of New Jersey, have' invented a new and useful Sheet-Feeding Mechanismi, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention in its broad and' generic scope consists of a novel sheet feeding mechanism Wherein sheets of any desired material may be rapidly fed to any other desired mechanism adapted to operate on such sheets to produce articles of any desired nature and while in the present instance have preferred to show my invention in conjunction with a printing press it will be evident that it is not limited to such use but may be employed in conjunction with any mechanism adapted to coperate With a sheet.

llt further consists of a novel sheet feeding mechanism wherein novel means are provided for supportingy the ple of sheets as a sheet is withdrawn therefrom.

It further consists of a novel manner of mounting and actuating the sheet supporting table.

It further consists of a novel construction of a combined guide and stripper.

It further consists of a novel construction of a suction roll.

It further consists of a novel construction and arrangem'ent of a Sheet guiding plate.

lt further consists of other novel features of construction, all as Will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawings those forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of a sheet feeding mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a sectional elevation sents a side elevation partly broken away of my device. Fig. 8 reprcsents a sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 9 represents a sectional elevation of certain of the parts seen in Fig. 8 but showing them in a dilferent relation to each other. Fig. 10 represents a sectional plan view of a portion of the maclnne. Fig. ll represents a sectional view of a portion of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 represents a perspective view of the stripper in detached position. Fig. 13 represents a sectional ele- Vation of a portion of my device. Fig. lf represents a sectional plan view of a portion of my device. Fig. 15 represents a plan view of another embodiment of my invention. Fig. 16 represents a side elevation of a suction roll showing another embodiment of my invention.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings, since my invention relates more particularly to a sheet feeding mechanism I have deemed it unneces- Sary to illustrate or describe the entire printing press With which my invention is illustrated as being operatively connected since the construction and operation thereof will be understood by those skilled in the art.

1 designates the supporting framework in which is mounted the driving shaft 2, which is actuated in any desired manner and provided with a gear 3, meshing with a gear 4, m'ounted on a shaft 5' journaled in the frame 1.

The shaft 5 has-fast thereon an eccentric sheave 6 that imparts, through its ecccutric rod 7, a reciprocating moticn to a plungcr 8 fitted within the cylinder of pump cal-inf: 9. The cylinder 9 is pivotecl at 10 in the supporting frame 1, as will be understood from Fig. 5, whereby said cylinder may turn on its pivot so as to assume the proper positions during the reciprocating movements of the piston 8.

The cylinder 9 is provided With a port 11 that forms a communication between the interior of said cylinder and the atmosphere, it being noted that said port 11 is provided with a valve 12 normally seated against the same by the tension of a spring 13 whereupon when the plunger 8 is moving upward, air is drawn in the cylinder 9 through the opening 14 which is in communication with conduits 15, 16 and 17, so that air is drawn into the interior of the hollow suction feed roller 18 through. the openings 19 as will be understood from Figs. 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. The suction of air through the openings 19 draws the lowermost Sheet of paper 20 or other material to be printed upon firmly against said feed roller 18 so that the Sheet 20 is directed by the same through an opening 23 between the feed roller 18 and the inclined face of a plate or Separator 24 to the feed rollers 25 and 26 which latter feed the sheet 20 through a combined guide and stripper 27 to the automatic grippers 28 in the press roll 29 which latter carries the sheet 20 to the printing or inking roll 30 and after passing between the rolls 29 and 30 is delivered' to the endless apron 31 and table 32, see Fig. 7. The plate 24 may be ad]us ted relatively to the roll 18 by ad]ust1ng screwt 92.

The pinion 3 meshes with a' gear wheel 33 fast' on a shaft 34 journaled in boxes 35 supported in the frame 1. The gear wheel 33 meshes with a gear wheel 36 fast on a shaft 37 so as to impart motion to the latter and consequently to the roll 29. The shaft 37 is journaled in hoxes 38 supported in the frame 1. The shaft 37 has fast thereon the crank disks 39 that impart a reciprocating motion to the table 40 through links 41 which are pivoted at 42 to said disks 39 and hooked at 43 to pins 4-1 secured to the reciprocating table 40. i i

The table 40 has connected thereto, as at 45, one end of the apron 46 preferably constructed of fabric and whose opposite end is connected at 47 to one end of the Springs 38 whose opposite ends are secured at 48 to a bracket 49, it being noted that each of said a'prons 46 passes partly around the feed or suction roller 18 on opposite'sides of the suction ports 19.

lThe table 40 is guided in ways 50 in the brackets 49 and 51 and reciprocates therein when vthe disks 39 are in motion. The brackets 49-and 51 a're pivoted at 16 and' 52, respectively, in the frame 1 so that said brackets may turn upon their pivots and thus permit the table 40 and its adjuncts to he swung away from the frame l wherenpon access may be readily hadl to the interior of the machine for the purpos of inspeetion or repairs.

The frame 1 has pivoted thereto at 53 a link 54 provided with a slot 55 through which freely passes a pin 56 secured to the hracket 51, said link and pin serving to retrain the bracket 51 and its adjuncts 1n their outward positions as indicat-ed in dotted lines in Fig. 7.

The table 40 has secured thereto a toothed rack 57 that engages a pinion 58 on the suction feed roll 18 so as to rotate the latter first in one direction and then in an opposite one in unison with the to and fro movements of the table'40.

The gear wheel 36 meshes with an idler 59, see Fig. 8, that is also in mesh with a gear wheel 60 on the feed roller 26 so that motion is transmitted from said gear wheel 36 to the feed roller 26 and also to a gear wheel 61 fast on the shaft 62 of said feed roller. The gear wheel 61 meshes with a gear wheel 63 fast on the shaft 64 of the feed roller 25 so as to impart motion thereto.

The disk 39 seen in F ig. 7 is provided with a cam member 65 adapted to rock an arm 66 secured to a shaft 67, it being noted .that said arm has fitted therein a bar 68 adapted to be raised and lowered in said arm by an adjusting screw 69 so that by rotating the latter, said bar 68 may be raised and lowered in order to properly locate the toe 70 at the lower portion of said bar relativelyto the cam member 65 so that said arm 66 may be rocked by the'cam 65 at the proper time, it being apparent that when said bar 68 is in its uppermost position the cam member 65 will be brought in contact therewith later than if said bar were in its lowermost position.

' VVhen the cam member 65 is brought into contact with the toe 70, the shaft 67 is turned whereupon the arms 71 secured thereto and in which is journaled the feed roller 25 are moved upward or away from the feed roller 26 so as to release a sheet 20 .of paper between them in order that the grippers 28 which take hold of the sheet 20 at this instant may readily carry the same around with the roll 29. The shaft 67 has fast thereon an arm 72, see Fig. 1, that cooperates with a spring 73 which latter acts as a bufi'er to prevent the feed roll 25 from rebounding when brought in contact with the feed roll 26.

The table 40 has secured thereto brackets 74 in which is journaled a shaft 75 which has secured thereto arms 76 provided with projecting members 77 adapted to support VatV certain'times the forward portion of a Stack of paper '20 when the lowermost shcet therein is being fed to the rolls 25 vand 26 by the suction roll 18 and thus relieve said lowermost sheet of paper from the weight of those above it so that Said Sheet may readily slilce from beneath the Stack to the printing ro The shaft 75 has fast thereon an arm 78, see Fig. 13, to which one end of a spring 79 is secured, the opposite end of said sprin,f r being secured to any convcnient fixed point as at 80, it being understood that the object moaaa of said spring is to bring the arm 78 against the screw 81 that serves as a stop to limit the forward movement of said arm 78 as will be apparent from the position of the latter, as illustrated in dotted lines in said Fig. 13. The shaft 75 has fast thereon an arin 82 adapted to turn the shaft 75 and the parts carried thereby when said arm 82 is brought into contact with an adjustable stop 83 supported in the bracket 51 so as to cause the arms 76 and projecting members 77 thereon to assume the positions seen in Fig. 13 so that the forward portion of a stack of paper 20 may readily slide upon the members 77 when the table 40 isapproximately at the end of its forward movement.

The arm 66 has pivoted thereto Yone end of a rod 84, see Fig. 7, whose opposite end moves freely through a guide 85 in the bracket 51 and is provided with a collar 86.

87 designates a spring one end of which bears against the guide 85 while its opposite end bears against the collar 86 whereby the toe is in contact with the disk 39.

The bracket 49 has secured thereto a disk 88 in which are adjustably fitted the lugs 89 and 90 that coperate with the grippers 28 so as to open and close the latter at proper times in order to carry a sheet 20 around with the roll 29 and also release it so that said sheet 20 may drop upon the delivery apron or belt 31. The roll 29 is also provided with fingers 91 that are adapted to throw a sheet 20 away from the roll 29 at the proper time.

Since the grippers 28 and the fingers 91, as well as the mechanism for actuating the same may be of any well known type, it is thought to be unnecessary to describe in de- 'tail such mechanism.

The brackets 49 and 51 are retained firmly in position on the frame 1 by hinged bolts 93 that engage slots 94 in said brackets and are provided with fastening nuts 95 that are in threaded engagement with said bolts, it being understood that by loosening the nuts 95 and turning the bolts 93 on their pivots 96 so as to remove said bolts from the slots 94, the brackets 49 and 51 and their adjuncts may be brought into the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. 7. The table 40 is provided with laterallv adjustable lJzuides 97 and 98, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 2.

Tt will be seen from Fig. 12 that the guide and stripper 27 is formed of a plate or bar 99 from which is spaced the plate 100 in order to provide an aperture through which the sheet being fed may pass. The ends of the plate 99 are detlected to form extensions 101 which are fixed in position in any desired manner. One side of the plate 99 is extended and deflected as at 102 to terminate in proximity to the roll 18 and is apertured or recessed as at 103, while the inner portion of the plate 100 is upwardly defiected, as at 104, to terminate in close proximity to the feed roll 25, see more particularly Fig. 9, so that the sheet being fed is prevented from being carried around the roll 25 and is properly guided to the grippers 28.

In the suction roll seen most clearly in Figs. 1 and 10, the suction ports 19 are centrally located while in the embodiment seen in Fig; 16, I provide in proximity to each end of the suction roll 105 enlarged bearings 100 and 107 having suction ports 108 and 1.09 respectivelywhereby the suction acts on the sheet at three places instead of one. 110 is a feed roll having enlarged bearings 111, 112 and 113 in order to coperate with the suction roll 105, seen in Fig. 16 in properlyfeeding the separated sheet through the machine. The separating or segregating plate 24 has its operative faces angularly inclined as seen at 114 and 115.

The operation: The sheets to be fed are placed in a pile on the table 40 between the guides 97 and 98 and the driving shaft 9 is caused to revolve in any desired manner thereby ca'using the gear 3 to actuate the gear -l' so that the pump .9 will create a suction on the suction roll 18 at predetermined intervals. The gear 3 through the medium of the gear 38 causes the gear 36 to revolve thereby reciprocating the arms 41 and the table 40 connected therewith and which supports the pile of sheets. As the table 40 moves forwardly into the position seen in full lines in Fig. 13, it will be seen that the forward portion of the pile of sheets is supported on the fiexible aprons 46 which are retained in proper position by the tension devices 38. suction has now been created in the suction roll 18 so that the lowerlnost sheet adheres to the suction roll 18, it being remembered that the suction roll 18 is continuously revolving through the medium of the gears 58, 60, 59 and 36... The sheet withdrawn from the pile now moves into the position seen in dotted lines in Fig. 13, then into the position seen in Fig. ,9, and it then passes into the position seen in Fig. 8, the stripper 27 having prevented it from adhering to the roll 25 between which latter and the feed roll 26 is has now passed so that the sheet is now ready to he engaged by the grippers 28. The cam 39 has now coperated with the lever 0G to rock the shaft G7 thereby causing the roll 95 to be released from its engagement with the sheet so that the latter may be transferred to a (lesired point of utilization, for example, the printing roll 30 may coact therewith at this time and the sheet is then carried to the traveling table 31 and discharged therefrom to the support 32. The pile of sheets from which a sheet has been removed in the manner just described has during this time engaged with the supporting members 77, having moved up the inclined face 114 of the separatingplate 24 and the forward portion of the pile of sheets is raised above the sheet being withdrawn to facilitate the withdrawalthereof. The Springs 79 cause the arm 78 to be brought back against the stop 81 so that the sheets are properly alined for the next forward feedingmovement of the table 40. On the rearward movement of the table 40 the forward portionof the pile of sheets will be supported on the bands 46. As the table 40 moves rearwardly the arm 482 will engagev the stop 83 and rock the to the suction roll 18 by means of the set' screw' 92. The time at which the feed roll v'25 is released from engagement with the separated Sheet may be varied by adjusting the set screw 69. The working parts are rendered readily accessible by loosening the nuts 95 whereupon the entire feed table and its adjuncts may be swung upwardly and rearwardly as will be understood by reference to Fig. 7.- I have illustrated herein means electrically controlled .for automatically moving the press roll 29 out of engagement with the impression roll '30 when no sheet is being fed but since such automatic mechanism is not claimed herein I have deemed it unnecessary to describe in detail such construction in the present application. i a

The press roll 29 land the printing roll 30 are intergeared and upon the failure of a Sheet to be fed, the throw out mechanism is automatically operate'd to separate the press roll and printing roll from each other and move them out of printing engagement but their gears are not disconnected'during the operation of the printing press.

It will now be apparent that I have devised a novel and useful construction of a sheet feeding mechanism which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description and while I have, in the present instance, shown Aand described a preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that the same is susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

'1; In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet support including a flexible apron, sheet relmoving means disconnected from said apron and around which said apron passes, means to continuously revolve said sheet removing means without winding up the apron on the roll, and devices to efl'ect the relative movement of said Sheet support and said sheet removing means.

2. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet supportlincluding a flexible apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said apron, means for reciprocating said sheet support, and means for creating a suction in said suction roll.

3. In a sheet feeding` mechanism, a Sheet support including an apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls to which a sheet is fed by said suction roll, means for moving one of said feed rolls out of engagement with the paper at predetermined intervals, means for moving said sheet support' relative to said suction roll, and a suction creating device connected with said suction roll.

4. I'n a Sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet support including an apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls to which a sheet is fed by said suction roll, a sheet` guide having a stripper member terminating in proximity to one of said feed rolls, means for moving one of said feed rolls out of engagement with the paper at predetermined intervals, means for moving said sheet support relative to said suction roll, and a suction creating device connected with said suction roll.

5. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet I support including an apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls to which a sheet is fed by said suction roll, a sheet guide having a stripper member terminating in proximity to one of said feed rolls and a gu'ide member terminating in proximity to said suction roll, means for moving one of said feed rolls out of engagement with the paper at predetermined intervals. means for moving said Sheet support relative to said suction roll, and a suction creating device connected with said suction roll.

6. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet support including an apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls to which a sheet is fed by said suction roll, a sheet guide having a stripper member terminating in proximity to one of said feed rolls and a guide member terminating in proximity to said suction roll, said guide being apertured to permit said feed rolls to engage a Sheet, means for moving one of said feed rolls out of engagement with the paper at predetermined intervals, means for moving iso till

masce i w said Sheet support relative to said Suction roll, and a Suction creating device connected with Said Suction roll.

7. In a Sheet feedin`V mechanism, a Sheet Support including a flexible apron, 'a Suction roll around-'which said apron passes, a tension device for Said apron, reciprocating means for said support, a stationary Separator, a rock shaft carried by the Sheet Support, Sheet supporting arms on Said rock Shaft adapted to support the Sheet pile after a Sheet has been separated therefrom, actuating devices for said arms, and means for actuating said suction roll.

8. In a Sheet feeding' mechanism, a Sheet Support including a flexible apron, a Suction roll around which said apron passes, a ten- Sion device for Said apron, reciprocating means for said support, a Stationary Separator, a rock shaft carried by the Sheet Support, Sheet supporting arms on Said rock shaft adapted to support the Sheet plle after a Sheet has been separated therefrom, an adjustable stop for said Shaft, a tension device to maintain said arms in normal position, a `Stationary Stop, an arm carried by Said rock shaft adapted to engage said stop,

and actuating means for said suction roll.

9. In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet Support including a flexible apron, a suction roll around which said apron passes, a tension device for said'apron, reciprocatmg means for said support, a stationary separator, a rock shaft carried by said lSheet Support, Sheet supporting arms on said rock Shaft adapted to Support the Sheet p1le after a Sheet has been separated therefrom, an adjustable Stop for Said shaft, a tenslon device to maintain Said arms in normal posltion, a stationary Stop, an arm carried by Said rock Shaft adapted to engage said stop, means for adjusting' the position of Said stop, and actuating means for Said Suction roll. v

10: In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet support, a rock Shaft thereon, a suction roll, actuating means therefor, a stationary Separator, arms having' de'fiected ends carried by said rock shaft on opposite sides of said Separator, an` adjustable Stop, an arm on said rock-Shaft, resilient means for normally maintaining said rock-shaft arm against said Stop, an arm on said rock l'shaft, an adjustable contact member in the path of said last named rock-shaft arm, and

means for causing relative movement of said above which the Sheet pile is moved after a Sheet is separated from the Sheet pile, devices automatically actuated to Support the forward portion of the Sheet pile after it passes the `suction roll, means for causing Said devices to be disengaged from the Sheet pile on the rearward movement of said table, and means for reciprocating said table.

12. In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet support including an apron, a Suction roll in engagement with Said apron, a tension device for Said apron, feed rolls, a rockshaft carrying one of said feed rolls, a bracket carried by said rock-shaft, an arm1 mounted in said bracket, a cam for actuating Said arm to rock said rock shaft, means to reciprocate said Sheet support, and actuating means for said Suction roll.

13. In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a Sheet Support including an apron, a Sucton roll in engagement with said apron, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls, a rockshaft carrying one of said feed rolls, a bracket carried by Said rock-shaft, an arm mounted in Said bracket, a cam for actuating said arm to rock said rock-shaft, means for relatively adjusting said arm and bracket to vary the coperation of said arm with said cam, means to reciprocate said Sheet Support, and actuating means for Said Suction roll.

14. In -a Sheet feeding mechanism, a frame, a bracket movably mounted thereon, locking devices for Said bracket, a Sheet support movably carried by said bracket, a suction roll mounted in said bracket, actuating means for said suction roll, and actuatng means for Said Sheet support and detachably connected therewith.

15. In a Sheet feeding mech-anism, a Sheet support including an apron, a suction roll in engagement With said lapron, a tension device for said apron, feed rolls, a rock shaft carrying one of said feed rolls, a bracket carried by said rock Shaft, an arm mounted in said bracket, a cam for actuating said arm to rock Said rock-shaft, resilient means for retaining Said arm in the path of said cam, means to reciprocate Said Sheet Support, and actuating means for Said suction roll.

16. In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a frame, a bracket pivoted thereto, a link secured to said frame and having a slot, a Stud carried by said bracket and engaging said Slot, a Sheet Support mounted for reoiprocation in said bracket, 'a Suction roll carried by said bracket, actuating means for Said suction roll, and act'uating means for said bracket and including connecting members detachably connected With said Sheet support.

17. In a Sheet feeding mechanism, a suction roll having 'a plurality of enlarged bearings with suction ports therethrough and forming a plurality of Sheet engaging portions, feed rolls in proximity to said suction eo I i. and having. an edge terminating adjacent the periphery of-'the upperifeed roller at the roll, one of which feed rolls is provided with a plurality of enlarged bearings engaging in suitable relation With respect to the enlarged bearings of said suction roll, and means for feeding sheets to said rolls.

18. In a device of the Character stated, a suction roll, a separator having an inclined face adjacent said roll and spaced therefrom, feed rollers adjacent said separator, and a combined guide and stripper comprising an upper and a lower plate, the edge of the lower plate extending below said separator and adj acent to the periphery of said suction roll and having a slot therein, in which the feed rollers operate, and the upper plate being spaced from the lower and having an edge terminating adjacent the periphery of the upper feed rollerand at the rear" of the same. i

19.' In a device of the Character stated, a

' suction roll, a separator having an inclined face 'adjacent said roll and spa'ced therefrom, feed rollers adjacent said Separator, and a combined guide and stripper comprising an upper and a lower plate, the edge of the lower plate extending below said separator and adjacent to the periphery of said suction roll and having a slot therein, in which the feed rollers operate, and the upper plate being spaced from the lower plate rear of the same, the said inclined face of said Separator extending. to substantially ythe saidupper feed roller.

20. In an 'automatic paper-feeder, the combination of a reciprocatory feed-table, a rotative sheet-separating suction-roller having at least one suction-orifice, a gap being formed between said feed table and suction roller on the' rearward movement of said feed table, flexible-,strips extending from the 'end ofthe feed-table to and around said roller at 'either side of saidorifice, and

retractilel Springs having their rear ends,

fixedv belowthe feed table and their front ends attached to said strips, said strips being thereby held taut and constituting an extension of the feed-table to support a paper pile over the -gap.

,21. In a device of the character stated, a

frame, a bracket pivotally mounted thereon,

a sheet-support slidingly mounted in said bracrket, means for retaining said bracket in operative and inoperative position, means for reciprocating said sheet-support; l`said means being detachably connected therewith Whereby said bracket and said sheet-support may be swung outwardly on the pivot, and means for limiting the outward movement thereof.

22. In a device of the Character stated, a reciprocating sheet-support, operative mechanism to which the material is fed from the sheet-support, means for reciprocating the said sheet-support adapted to be released from operative engagement therewith, and a support for the Isheet-support pivotally mounted to be swung outwardly, when said reciprocating means is released from operative engagement with said sheet support, whereby said Operating mechanism is accessible for inspection and repairs.

A 23. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet support including a flexible apron, a'suction roll disconnected from said apron and around which said apron passes, means to continuously revolve said suction roll without Winding up the apron on said roll, devices to effect the relative -movement of said sheet support and said suction roll, and mans to create a suction in said suction ro l.

24;. In a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet support includin a flexible apron, having one end connecte thereto, a suction roll disconnected from said apron I and around which said apron passes, to thereby form an upper and a lower stretch, means connected with the other end of the apronto maintain the upper stretch thereof in substantially the same plane as the sheet support, means to actuate said suction roll, devices to reciprocate said sheet support, and means to create a suction in said suction roll.

25.'In a sheet feeding` mechanism, a sheet support including` a flexible apron, sheet removing means disconnected from said apron and around which said apron passes to thereby form an upper and a lower stretch, means connectedwith said apron to maintain the upper stretch thereof in substantially av constant plane, means to actuate said sheet removing means, and devices to effect the relative movementof said sheet support and said sheet removing means.

26. In a printing press, the combination with an impression cylinder, an automatic sheet feeding mechanism delivering sheets to said cylinder comprisinp,` a pair of revolving feeding rollers a reciprocating table for supporting a pi e of sheets that project pile and directing it toward said rollers, and

flexible supportin means for the projecting portion of said piie of sheets extending from the rear of said table to and around the suction picker axis and back to said table.

27. In a printing press, the combination with an impression cylinder, an automatic sheet feeding` mechanism delivering sheets to said cylinder, comprising a pair of revolving feedin rollers, means between the impression cylinder and said rollers for driving the latter, a reciprocating` table for supporting the pile of sheets that project rearwardly over said table, an osclllating suction picker operated by said table for selecting a sheet from the bottom of said pileand directing t toward said rollers, and a plurality of tapes for supporting the projecting portion of a ple of sheets, each tape fixed at one end toward the real' ofsaid table and extending to and around the suction 'picker shaft, and from thence forward to be attached to the table at the other end.

28. In a printing press, the combination with an impression cylinder, an automatic Sheet feeding mechansm delvering sheets to said cylinder comprising a pair of revolving feeding rollers, means between the mpression cylindex` and the feeding rollers for driving the letter., a reciprocating table for supporting a ple of sheets that project rearwardly over said table, an oscllating sucton' picker operated by said table fot selectin a Sheet from the bottom of said ple an directing it toward said rollers, a pluralty of tapes for supporting the projectng portion of the pile of sheets; each tape fastened at one end to the rear of the table and extending to and around the suction picker shaft, and from thence forward to be attached to the table at the other end, and resilent means between the end of each 'tape and its attachment to the table. 

